LANGUAGE ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for analysis of rhythmic measures of speech. One input device is operable to generate input signals representing the rhythm of a group of syllables and an output device reponds to these signals and provides a representation of the input rhythm and an indication of the relationship of te input rhythm to a known or predetermined rhythm. The visual representation may be in the form of a numerical display such as comprising symbols representing different rhythmic measures of speech. The input device may be a push button to open and close a switch in a rhythm corresponding to that in which a group of syllables such as a line of verse would be spoken or read. The instrument allows information to be entered rapidly and simply and the difference between spoken and written language presents no difficulty. The instrument can be used for interactive educational purposes and it improves hand movement and speech co-ordination as well as assisting the translation of texts set to music. The instrument can also assist a user in modifying his or her spoken and/or written language in accordance with a desired effect or to conform with existing models.

Description: LANGUAGE ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT The invention relates to an instrument for analysis of the rhythmic meas¬ ures of speech . In accordance with the invention , there is provided an instrument for anal¬ ysis of the rhythmic measures of speech comprising at least one input de¬ vice operable to generate input signals representing the rhythm of a group of syllables , and an output device responsive to the signals to provide at least one of a representation of the input rhythm and an indication of a relation¬ ship of the input rhythm to a known or predetermined rhythm . The or each input device is preferably such as to be operated by the user manually in a very simple way , as by operation of a push-button to open and close a switch in a rhythm corresponding to that in which a group of syllables would be spoken or read . The input device thus provides the input signals simulating the metre or rhythm of the group of syllables , which group typically comprises at least part of a line of verse , typically a first hemistich , although it could equally well comprise a phrase from a rhyth¬ mical prose composition . Information can thus be entered into the instrument rapidly and in a very simple way requiring hardly any prior training . No difficulty arises from the differences between spoken and written language . The input rhythm can additionally or instead be displayed audibly . The in¬ put rhythm can be stored within the instrument if desired and can be re¬ trieved as required for visual and /or aural display . The output device can function in one or more of a variety of ways . Thus the input rhythm can be displayed symbolically , as by a sequence of differ¬ ent symbols indicating different length syllables . For classification and analysis, the output device can include a store storing therein at least one signal set representing a known or predetermined rhythm, a comparator for comparing the input signals with at least one stored signal set , and signalling means indicating a relationship between the rhythms represented by the input signals and the stored signal set . Pre¬ ferably, the store stores a plurality of the signal sets, each representing a re¬ spective known or predetermined rhythm, typically the rhythms of different verse forms, and a selector device is provided to permit the user to select a particular signal set for comparison with the input signals .The output de¬ vice is then desirably operable selectively to provide at least one of a visual and an aural representation of the stored signal set , or of the selected one of the stored signal sets . The output of the comparator can be applied in various ways depending on whether the instrument is intended to operate for classification and analy¬ sis, for educational purposes or for entertainment . Preferably the instru¬ ment is capable of operation in a selected one of a plurality of such modes . The comparator can instead be arranged to cause the signalling means to indicate a rhythm in continuation of that of the input signals in response to agreement between the input signals and the signal set or the selected sig¬ nal set . For example, the user having established that the input signals represent a first hemistich , he can be given a hint as to how to compose a successive hemistich . The comparator can moreover be arranged to cause the signalling means to indicate an error or omission in response to a difference between the input signals and the stored signal set or the selected signal set . The user then can correct the input rhythm , or test it against other selected signal sets until a corresponding known rhythmic form has been located . Preferably means are provided for varying the speed of the operation of the instrument , for example , means can be provided for selection of one of a plurality of tempi of operation of the instrument, conveniently a slow , a fast , and an intermediate tempo . For interactive educational purposes , or for use in a competitive game mode, a plurality of the input devices can be provided for use by a plurality of users. The users can for example take turns to input a hemistich to follow a first hemistich taken from the store and displayed on a large visual screen. The instrument provides an electronic keyboard for the analysis and classi¬ fication of the rhythmic measures of spoken or written language , which provides for its user an aural , visual and quantified representation of the rhythms of speech. The instrument can be employed to assist the user in modifying his or her spoken and/or written language in accordance with the desired effects , and to conform with existing models . The rhythm entered into the instrument can be analyzed and classified in accordance with se¬ lected parameters . An instrument embodying the invention can thus be employed educationally to assist the user in acquiring compositional skills through step - by - step training . The instrument can be employed to detect errors and to afford guidance for correct usage . Coordination between hand movement and speech can be promoted , as can precision in the reading of a text and in its memorization . The translation of texts that have been set to music can be assisted by comparison of the rhythm of the translation against that of the original . The instrument cam also be employed for entertainment , in that one or more players can attempt to duplicate a rhythm selected from those availa¬ ble in the instrument , at a selected tempo . The instrument can be embod¬ ied on a scale for collective operation , through multiple keyboards and with a large display screen . The instrument can include additional functions of a kind conventionally available in computers . Although the invention is exemplified below by an instrument adapted for dealing with the Arabic language, the instrument of the invention can be ar¬ ranged to deal with any language , and any verse form . The invention is particularly suited to the treatment of other structured verse forms such as the English sonnet and the Welsh englyn and cywydd but is not limited to such forms . For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made to the accom¬ panying drawings , in which : Figures 1-3 illustrate the arrangement of keys and lights on the front panel of an instrument according to the invention . Figures 4-7 are circuit diagrams for an instrument according to the inven¬ tion . As shown in Figure 1 the keys and lights are grouped according to function and purpose . In the lower section of the front panel illustrated in Figures 1-3 is the key¬ board section 1 with keys labeled Kl to K17 as marked in Figure 2 for enter¬ ing data and making appropriate selections of , for example , mode or tem¬ po. The function of each of these keys is described below . Figure 1 illustrates the connection references of each of the keys and these connection references are indicated in parenthesis in the following list of functions of the keys . The keys arranged in groups according to their func¬ tion and these groups are indicated by respective letters a-h . a. Selection of mode Key 1 "Verse * (^---i) ( C1R5) selection of verse / cancellation of entry but re¬ taining option . Key 2 "Free" (j =>.) ( C3R5) selection of prose or free types of Arabic verse or of verse in other languages / cancellation of entry but retaining option . Key 3 "Game" (__- . I) (C2R5) selection of training and games / cancellation of entry but retaining option . b. Selection of tempo Key 4 "Slow" ( c ι -r^ ) (C4R4) selection of a slow tempo . Key 5 "Moderate" ( ) (C3R4) selection of moderate tempo . Key 6 "Fast" (tuX ( 1R4) selection of a fast tempo . c. Entering Key 7 "Maqta' " (^ 5 Λ) (C2R3) entering a maqtά or its substitute. Key 8 "Short Syllable" (d^ -- '. (C1R3) entering a short syllable at the end of a hemistich, line or unit . Key 9 "Consonant" (^ ) (C3R3) entering a consonant at the end of a hemistich or line. d. Cancelling Key 10 "Unit" ('-^ ) (C1R2) cnacelling units entered, one by one . Key 11 "Hemistich" (^ l_^_--_-,) (C3R2) cancelling one or two hemistichs, one af¬ ter the other. Key 12 "Total" ( ( _ r L≤) (C 1) cancelling of all data entered and return¬ ing to preselection of mode . e. Response Key 13 "Yes" ( ( --»---) (C4R1) responding yes to the questions : rhyme ? hemi¬ stich? Key 14 "No" (M) (C2R1) responding no to the questions : rhyme ? hemi¬ stich? f. Ending Key 15 "Ending" («- l $ .I) (C4R3) ending of hemistich, line or unit . g. Returning Key 16 "Replay" (ϊ Ltl) (C2R4) returning an entry, after ending . h. Sound Key 17 "Sound" (oj-.) (CN4) with or without sound . A power switch "on/off is located in the lower lefthand corner of the panel . A display section 2 consists of ten 7-segment LEDs . These are used to dis¬ play the result of entering data on keys K7, K8 and K9 (Section C) . The panel illustrated is arranged to be particularly convenient to an Arabic speaker and hence to someone more familiar with readmg from right to left than from left to right . The 7-segment LED displays marked G l - GIO in Figure 1 indicates the en¬ tered data by displaying any one of the numbers 1-4 or a hyphen either at the top of the display or the bottom of the display depending on the data en¬ tered . 1 corresponds to a unitary maqta', 2 corresponds to a binary maqta'. 3 to a tertiary maqta' and 4 to a quaternary maqta' . The upper hyphen " - " corresponds to a short syllable appended to a prior maqta' at the end of a hemistich line or unit . However a hyphen at the bottom of the display "_" corresponds to a consonant appended to a prior maqta' at the end of a hemi¬ stich line or unit. The select section 3 of figure 1 consists of five lights which are preferably LEDs and which are used to indicate the options available when first enter¬ ing the data: Light 1 (D36) indicates the option of a unitary maqta' Light 2 (D40) indicates the option of a binary maqta' Light 3 (D43) indicates option of a tertiary maqta' Light 4 (D44) indicates option of a consonant Light 5 (D45) indicates the option of ending . The signals and questions section 4 of figure 1 comprises nine lights, prefer¬ ably LEDs, which serve the following purposes : Light 6 (D17) poses the question of mode : verse, free, game ? Light 7 (D37) poses the question about the tempo required . Light 8 (D38) a signal of readiness for entering the first hemistich . Light 9 (D39) a signal of readiness for entering the second hemistich . Light 10 (D16) a signal of readiness for entering prose , or free kinds of verse or any other beat outside speech . Light 11 (D46) indicates that the entry is not sufficient or is incomplete . Light 12 (D28) asks about the presence of rhyme at the end of the first hem¬ istich . Light 13 (D29) asks whether the verse is composed of one hemistich only . Light 14 (D41) analyses entering by a flashing light . The results section indicated at 5 in Figure 1 comprises three LEDs D12, D13, & D14 to the top right of the front panel . These indicate whether or not the line of verse is complete . D12 indicates that the line of verse is com¬ plete whereas D13 indicates that the line of verse lacks a third and D 14 in¬ dicates that the line of verse lacks two- thirds . The upper middle section of the panel comprises lights indicating the me¬ ters: the ancient meters comprise the two lights D9 & Dl l belonging to the second beat group illustrating the two elementary meters . The other an¬ cient meters are illustrated by the lights D7 of the first group, D10 of the second group, and D8 & D22 of the second group . The exemplary classical meters comprise D6, D4, D5 of the first group, D24 and D3 of the second group and D23 of the third group. The post classical meters are illustrated by lights D19 of the first group , D21 of the second group and D20 & D18 of the third group . The section to the upper left area of the panel comprises a set of lights indi¬ cating the combinations of the first and second hemistich in the same line of verse and in the poem . D34 indicates the first combination, D32 indicates the second combination, D30 indicates the third, D35 indicates the fourth, D33 indicates the fifth and D31 indicates the sixth combination . In addi¬ tion D27 indicates that the verse is of the hemistich kind and D26 indicates the (exceptional) case when two hemistiches are identical as regards their measure because the same rhyme is present in the first and second hemi¬ stich . The correctness of the composition is indicated by the light D15 which indi¬ cates that the first hemistich of a verse whose meter belongs to the first beat group lacks a short syllable at its beginning . D25 indicates that the maqta or hemistich is of a rare type or is a theoretical construct (?) of classical pro¬ sody (?) . D42 indicates the presence of a fracture . Figures 4-7 show the electronic circuit design of the hardware wires behind the front panel of Figures 1-3 . Figure 4 illustrates the microprocessor and memory circuit . The micropro¬ cessor 40 is the Z80 CPU to which 64K of EPROM 41 and 2K of static RAM 42 is connected . In this particular embodiment only 62K of the EPROM is used . The static RAM 42 is used to store the various system variables . The microprocessor 40 runs at 2 MHz provided by a clock circuitry shown at 43 in Figure 4 . A 4 MHz crystal 44 is connected as shown to inverters U5A, U5B, and U5C which are taken from an integrated circuit 45 such as the 74LS04 with appropriate resistors Rl 1 & R12 (both 680 ohms) and a capac¬ itor C2 of 6 pF/25V . The output of the inverter U5C is connected to the in¬ put of a divider formed by D-type flipflop 46 which is taken from integrated circuit 74LS74 . An amplifier circuit is used to drive the clock signal to the CPU . The resulting 2 MHz clock pulse is fed to the clock input of the Z80 microprocessor 40 . The reset terminal of the microprocessor 40 is connected via schmitt trigger U8B & C, from integrated circuit 74LS14, connected as illustrated with a 10K resistor R13 and a capacitor C3 (100 uF/16V) and a diode Dl (1N4001) to connector CN1 in Figure 1 corresponding to key 12 in Figure 2 which is used as a reset for concelling all data entered . The data on data bus lines DO-D7 is fed into and out of the data terminals of microprocessor 40 and the address data bus is fed out from microproces¬ sor 40 on the address bus identified in Figure 4. The higher address lines All to A15 are used, via the logic circuitry indicated at 48 in Figure 4, to se¬ lect either SRAM memory 42 or EPROM memory via the chip select (CE) ter¬ minals of each . The memory request (MREQ) output of the microprocessor 40 is also used to address the two memory circuits 41 & 42 . Address lines AO - A10 are used to address the data on the SRAM memory 42 whereas ad¬ dress lines A0-A15 are used to address the memory cells of the EPROM 41 . Figure 5 shows the keyboard controller circuitry (1 in Figure 1) . Connector CN3 is connected to the keyboard 1 which is a 5x4 matrix keyboard com¬ prising the seventeen keys K1-K17 (figure 2) . A standard keyboard decoder 49, which is typically integrated circuit 74C923, scans the matrix keyboard and identifies the keys pressed by the unique combination of signals at one of the "row" inputs ROW1-ROW5, and the column terminals C 1-C4 . The key pressed is then identified by the code on data lines D0-D4 . The other connections to the keyboard decoder 49 are standard connections with the read RD and input/output request IORQ serving to select the keyboard de¬ coder via terminal OE on the decoder 49 . Data outputs D5-D7 from the keyboard decoder 49 are generated via integrated circuit output DA via a buffer circuit 50 which is typically integrated circuit 74LS125 . Figure 5 also shows the tone generator circuitry which is preferably built into the instrument . The circuit for this is indicated generally at 51 in the upper half of Figure 5 . The input-output request IORQ and the write WR output from the microprocessor 40 (Figure 4) together with address line A6 are passed through decoder 52 comprising two OR gates connected as shown in Figure 5 . These OR gates U20C & U20D are from integrated cir¬ cuit 74LS32. The output of this decoder 52 forms the input of a multivibra¬ tor 53 which drives a speaker (not shown) via amplifier 54 and connection CN4 . the tone duration is controlled by variable resistor R35 (100K) where¬ as the frequency of the tone, i.e. the pitch, is controlled by variable resistor R41 (10K) connected to a one-shot monostable 55 . The multivibrator 53 and the one-shot 55 may typically each be integrated circuit LM555 . The amplifier 54 is typically a 2N2222 . The connector CNl (Figure 4) is a push button reset switch on the front panel (see Figure 1), and is indicated in Figure 2 by key K12 . Connector CN4 is also a push button switch as illustrated in Figure 3 and is identified on Figure 2 as key 17. This switch controls whether the speaker is turned on or off . Figure 6 illustrates the LED (light emitting diode) controllers and their relat¬ ed circuitry . The LEDs (D3-D46) are preferably 3 mm high efficiency low current LEDs with a typical If = 2 mA . Two LED display controllers 56 & 57 are used each to control 23 LEDs . The display controllers 56 & 57 are typi¬ cally integrated circuits MM5480 connected as shown . Two circuits with re¬ spective 100K potentiometers R50 & R51 connected as shown to respective capacitors C15 & C16 rated at 0.001 uF/ 16 V are provided for controlling the brightness of the LEDs . A decoder 58, typically integrated circuit 74LS32 is used to supply clock pulses to the two display controllers 56 & 57. The data line DATA for the decoders 56 & 57 is supplied via terminals 16 from line DO of the microprocessor data bus . Figure 7 illustrates a 7-segment display controller for controlling the display 2 (see Figure 1) , i.e. for controlling the set of 7-segment LEDs identified at G1- G10 . Two 7-segment display controller drivers 59 & 60 are used each to drive 7- segment displays. These are typically the twenty - eight pin integrated cir¬ cuit 74C912 . Each is driven by data on data bus lines D0-D3 and the ad¬ dresses A0-A2 . The chip select CE terminal is driven by a decoding circuit 61 comprised of integrated circuits 74LS32 and 74LS04 . The segments are driven via resistors R15-R28 typically of the value 30R. These resistors are used to limit the current through the LEDs . Connector CN4 can be used to connect a speaker or a buzzer to the amplifi¬ er 54. The switch CN2 (on/off) connects to the circuit either to power (5 volts) or to ground as illustrated in Figure 7 . Another way of implementing the instrument is shown below . Figures 8- 10 illustrate the arrangement of keys and lights on the front panel of an instrument according to the invention . Figures 11- 13 are circuit diagrams for an instrument according to the in¬ vention . In the lower section of the front panel illustrated in Figures 8-10 is the key¬ board section with keys S1-S20 as marked in Figures 8 for entering data and making appropriate selections of , for example, mode or tempo . The function of each of these keys is described below. Figure 8 illustrates the connection references of each of the keys and these connection references are indicated in parenthesis in the following list . The keys are arranged in groups according to their function and these group are indicated by the respective letters a-h . a. Selection of mode Key 1 " Verse " (S13) selection of verse/cancelation of entry but retaining option . Key 2 " Free" ( SI 4) selection of prose of free types of Arabic verse or of verse in other languages /cancellation of entry but retaining option . Key 3 " Game " ( S18) selection of training and games/cancellation of entry but retaining option . b. Selection of tempo Key 4" Slow " ( SI ) selection of a slow tempo . Key 5 " Moderate " ( S10) selection of a moderate tempo . Key 6 " Fast " ( SI 1) selection of a rapid tempo . LE 26 c. Entering Key 7 " Maqta' " ( SI 6) entering a maqta' ot its substitute . Key 8 " Short Syllable " ( S9 ) entering of a short syllable at the end of a hemistich , line or unit . Key 9 " Consonant " ( S7) entering a consonant at the end of a hemi¬ stich or line . d. Cancelling Key 10 " Unit " (S 3) cancelling units entered , one by one . Key 11 " Hemistich " (S 2) cancelling one or two hemistichs , one after the other . Key 12 " Total " (S I) cancelling of all data entered and returning to pre-selection of mode . e. Response Key 13 " Yes " (S 5) resonding yes to the questions : rhyme ? hemistich? Key 14 " No" (S4) responding no to the questions : rhyme ? hemistich? f. Ending Key 15 " Ending " ( S8) ending of hemistich , line or unit . g. Returning Key 16 " Replay " (S6) returning an entry , after ending . h. Sound Key 17 " Sound " (SI 9) with or without sound . A power switch marked (S20) is located in the lower right-hand comer of the panel. A display section consists of ten digits LCD display . This is used to display the result of entering data on Key SI 6 . The panel is arranged to be convenient to an Arabic speaker and hence to someone more familiar with reading from right to left rather than from left to right . The LCD display in Figure 8 indicate the entered data by displaying any one of the numbers 1-4 or a middle position hyphen or an apostrophe depending on the data en¬ tered. 1 corresponds to a unitary maqta' ,2 to a binary maqta', 3 to a tertiary maqta' and 4 to a quaternary maqta' . The middle position hyphen corre¬ sponds to a consonant appended to a prior maqta' at the end of a hemistich , line or unit . However am apostrophe at the top of the display corresponds to a short syllable appended to a prior maqta' at the end of a hemistich , line or unit . The select section consists of five lights which are preferably LEDs and which are used to indicate the options available when first entering tha data: Light 1 (D41) indicates the option of a unitary maqta' . Light 2 (D 10) indicates the option of a binary maqta' . Light 3 (D9) indicates the option of a tertiary maqta' . Light 4 (D8) indicates the option of a consonant . Light 5 (D7) indicates the option of ending . The signals and questions section comprises nine more lights , preferably LEDs , which serve the following purposes : Light 6 (D40) poses the question of mode : verse , free , game ? . Light 7 (D39) poses the question about the tempo required . Light 8 (D42) a signal of readiness for entering the first hemistich . Light 9 (D43) a signal of readiness for entering the second hemistich . Light 10 (D37) a signal of readiness for entering prose , or free kinds of verse or any other beat outside speech . Light 11 (D38) indicates that the entry is not sufficient or is incomplete . Light 12 (D36) asks about the presence of rhyme at the end of the first hemistich . Light 13 (D35) asks whether the verse is composed of one hemistich only . Light 14 (D44) analyses entering by a flashing light . The results section in Figure 8 also comprises three LEDs D30 , D32 & D34 . These indicate whether or not the line of verse is complete . D32 indicates that the line of verse is complete whereas D34 indicates that the line of verse lacks a third and D30 indicates that the line of verse lacks two- thirds . The upper middle section of the panel comprises LEDs indicating the an¬ cient meters comprising the two LEDs D 18 & D 19 belonging to the second beat group illustrating the two elementary meters . The other ancient meters are illustrated by the LEDs D16 of the first group , D20 of the second group , and D21 & D22 of the second group . The exemplary classical meters comprise D2, D17 and D3 of the first group, D4 and D5 of the Second group and D6 of the third group . The post classi¬ cal meters are illustrated by LEDs Dl l of the first group , D12 of the sec¬ ond group and D13 & D14 of the third group . The section to the upper left area of the panel comprises a set of LEDs indi¬ cating the combinations of the first and second hemistich in the same line of verse and in the poem . D24 indicates the first combination , D26 indicates the second combination, D29 indicates the third , D25 indicates the fourth , D27 indicates the fifth and D28 Indicates the sixth combination . In addition D31 indicates that the verse is of the hemistich kind and D33 indicates the ( exceptional ) case when two hemistiches are identical as re¬ gards their measure because the same rhyme is present in the first and sec¬ ond hemistich . The correctness of the composition is indicated by the LED D23 which indi¬ cates that the first hemistich of a verse whose meter belongs to the first beat group lacks a short syllable at its beginning . D15 indicates that the maqta' or hemistich is of a rare type or is a theoretical construct (?) of classical pro¬ sody (?) . D45 indicates the presence of a fracture . Figures 1 1- 13 show the circuit design of the hardware wired behind the front panel of Figures 8-10 . Figure 11 illustrates a microprocessor , memory , LCD and sound circuit . The microprocessor Ul is conveniently the Z80C50 CPU to which 64K of EP¬ ROM U7 is connected . In this particular embodiment only 62K of the EP¬ ROM is used . The CPU Ul is equipped with 2 K of SRAM internally which is used to store the various variables . The microprocessor runs convenient¬ ly at 4MHz and this is provided by crystal Yl of value 8 MHz . Terminals INT , NMI , HALT , WAIT , RFSH , BUSREQ and RESET of the CPU Ul are con¬ nected to a resistor pack RN1 of value 10K. The RESET terminal of the CPU is connected to a push-button switch SI through a rsistor 10K of RN1 . The data on data bus D0-D7 is fed into and out of the data terminals of microprocessor Ul and the address data is fed out from the microprocessor Ul on the address bus identified in Figures 11 . The memory request (MREQ) and read (RD) line are used to select the EPROM U7. Address line A0-A15 are used to address the memory cells of the EPROM U7 . A decoder composed of two address decoders 74HC138 (U2 and U3 ) are used to access the different input and output sections . U2 is used to de¬ code I/O addresses of the output sections , whereas U3 is used to decode I/O addresses of the input section . Address bits A0-A2 of the CPU are con¬ nected to the input of the two decoders (A,B and C respectively ) enabling the selection of 8 different data ports . IOREQ line of the CPU is connected to G2A input of the two decoders , and WR line is connected to G2B of U2 for accessing output ports . Whereas , RD line is connected to G2B of U3 ac¬ cessing input ports . Gl ( active high ) , G2A ( active low ) , and G2B ( active low ) lines are used to enable the two decoders when accessing I/O ports . Moreover , Figure 11 shows the LCD sub-section which is used to display a representation of the input sequence or to display stored sequences upon request . The LCD display is a 10-digits display with 2 annunciators ( apos¬ trophe and point ) per digit . The LCD display is driven by a triplexed LCD decoder/ driver chip U4 preferably the MAX7232C . The MAX7232C drives 10 digits and accepts data in serial format . The CLK , WRITE and DATA line of the MAX7232C are taken from data bits 5,6, and 7 through U12 which is a 74HC374 shown in Figures 12 . The ACCEPT line of U4 is connected to the data bus bit DO through a tri-state buffer 74HC125 (U6A) . Therefore , writing to the MAX7232C input lines is done through output port address (04H) bits 5. 6, and 7 . A potentiometer - resistor network (Rl and R2) is used to control the contrast of the LCD display by connecting it to pin VDISP of U4. The sound sub- section in Figure 11 is based on the ISD1016A (U9) which is high-quality, single-chip record/playback for 16 seconds messaging applica¬ tions . One may use a 60 seconds chip . Each segment in the chip is ac¬ cessed through addressed A0 through A7 . In this instrument , addresses A0-A2 of the ISD1016A are connected to ground and addresses A3-A7 are connected to the data bus of the CPU (D0-D4) through a latch/buffer 74HC374 (U8). The XCLK input is connected to ground . The SP+ and SP- of the ISD1016A provide direct drive for loudspeakers LSI. One may use an audio amplifier based on the MC34119 to amplify further the sound output (not shown in Figures ) . Figure 12 shows the circuit diagram of the keyboard and LEDs display sec¬ tion. The keyboard section is composed of two 74HC373 latches ( U17 and U18 ) . The keyboard keys are composed of 16 push-button conveniently soft- touch keys connected to the inputs of D0-D7 of U18 and U17 . The latches out¬ puts (Q0-Q7) which indicate the current key pressed are connected to data bus D0-D7 . When no key is pressed , the input of U17 and U18 are driven high through the use of resistor packs RN2 and RN3 of value 10K . The de¬ coded 10 address by U3 ( Figure 11) , provides two lines (RDSWAL and RDSWBL ) which are used to latch data and enable the latches buffers to the data bus . RDSWAL and RDSWBL are connected to OC and G of U17 and U18 respectively . The LED sub-section is composed of 44 LEDs driven by six 74HC374 edge triggered latches /buffers (Ul l to U16 ) . Each 74HC374 is capable of driving 8 LEDs through limiting current resitors . Different color LEDs are used to indicate different functions . The OC ( active low ) input of Ul l, U12, U13 , U14 and U16 which enable the output of the flip-flops aire connected to ground . Latching data to each latches/buffers is done through input line CLK which is connected to decoder output (U2 ) shown in Figure 11 . U15's Q7 output is connected to an opto-isolator circuit to shut-off the sys¬ tem power through software control . The OC input of U15 is connected to a resistor-capacitor (R43 and C7) of value 100K and O. lu respectively which act as a delay . Figure 13 shows the power supply and power control circuit diagram . The equipment described herein is powered by four AA size battery cells pro¬ viding 6 volts of voltage . An optional D.C. power pack of 6V @ 200mA, con¬ nected at Jl, may be used to operate the instrument from an A.C. outlet . One may use instead of the standard AA batteries four AA rechargable bat¬ teries . Resistor R61 of value 100 Ohm and diode D41 of value 1N5817 are used to charge the batteries . From the 6V ( labeled Vcc ) is derived the 5V needed by the circuit's chips through step down resistor RIO of value 10 Ohm , 1 Watt . Bypass capaci¬ tors C15 and C8 are used at the +5VA power line , and C9-C12 for the pow¬ er line Vcc . The power control section is controlled by a transistor Q2 ( 2N7014 or equivalent ) whose gate line is connected to the Q output of a JK flip - flop (U19A) through resistor R62 of value 10K. This flip - flop is connected in the toggle mode by connecting the J,K inputs to Vcc through resistor R57 of val¬ ue 100k . The system is turned on/off by push-button S20 which is con¬ nected to a debouncing circuit made of resistor R60 ( 100k) and capacitor C14 ( O. luF) and connected to an inverting buffer U20C ( 14584BTV) whose output is connected to the clock input of U19B . The instrument on state is indicated by optional LED (D48) and current limiting resistor R59 ( 390 Ohm ) connected to the drain of Q2 . The PR ( preset ) line of the JK flip-flop is connected to an inverting buffer network (U20A , U20B ,U20D and U20E), resitors (R58 AND R54) , capacitor (C13 ) and diode (D46). D46 (1N4148) is used to discharge capacitor C13 when power source is removed from instru¬ ment . Opto-isolater (ISOl) is used to turn the instrument off .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An instrument for the analysis of rhythmic measures of speech compris¬ ing at least one input device operable to generate input signals representing the rhythm of a group of syllables, and an output device responsive to the signals to provide at least one of a representation of the input rhythm and an indication of a relationship of the input rhythm to a known or predeter¬ mined rhythm . 2. An instrument as claimed in 1 wherein the output device provides at least one of a visual and an aural representation of the input rhythm . 3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein the output device provides a visual representation in the form of numeric display , which can also be in alpha - numeric display . 4. An instrument as claimed in claim 3 wherein the display screen compris¬ es symbols representing different rhythmic measures of speech. 5. An instrument as claimed in claim 1,2,3 or 4 wherein the output device comprises a store storing therein at least one signal set representing a known or predetermined rhythm, a comparator for comparing the input sig¬ nals with at least one stored signal set, and signalling means indicating a relationship between the rhythms represented by the input signals and the stored signal set . 6. An instrument as claimed in claim 5 wherein the store stores therein a plurality of the signal sets , each signal set representing a respective prede¬ termined rhythm, and wherein a selector device is provided to permit the user to select a particular signal set for comparaison with the input signals in the comparator . 7. An instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein the signal sets represent the rhythms of different forms of verse . 8. An instrument as claimed in claim 5 , 6 or 7 wherein the output device is selectively operable to provide at least one of a visual and an aural repre¬ sentation of the stored signal set or the selected signal set .

Inventors: AL-HOUSSEINI TALAL, AL-HOUSSEINI, TALAL
Applicants: AL HOUSSEINI TALAL, FREEMAN JACQUELINE CAROL, AL-HOUSSEINI, TALAL, FREEMAN, JACQUELINE, CAROL
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G09B19
IPC codes: G09B5, G09B11, G09B15, G09B19, G10L13, G10L21